Control device, information processing system, and computer program product

ABSTRACT

A control device controls power supply to a terminal device and includes: a power supply controller that connects to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through communication with the terminal device via the cable; a change-command acquirer that receives, from an information processing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile to the power supply controller in response to receipt of the change command, the power profile representing the voltage and the current that are supplied to the terminal device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2019-036571, No. 2019-036560, No.2019-036561, No. 2019-036445, No. 2019-036446, all filed Feb. 28, 2019,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a control device, aninformation processing system, and a computer program product.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, education-purpose use of a tablet computer(hereinafter, referred to as a tablet) in schools has been studied. Insuch a case, tablets are stored and managed in a dedicated rackinstalled in a classroom, for example. Before start of a class, eachstudent takes out a tablet from the rack, and boots the tablet at his orher own desk for use. After the class ends, the students shut down theirtablets, store them in the rack, and connect the tablets to a controldevice inside the rack via a cable.

The control device in the rack serves to charge the tablets via thecable. An information processing device is installed in the rack toupdate software of the tablets for maintenance in accordance with remotecontrol via a network, for example.

At the start of maintenance of the tablet, the control device in therack turns on the power switch of each tablet in response to a commandfrom a high-order information processing device. After the end of themaintenance, the control device in the rack turns off the power switchof the tablet in response to a command from the high-order informationprocessing device.

However, the power switch of the tablet serves as a push switch thatalternately operates, so that it typically uses the same signal forturning on and off the power switch. Thus, in response to receipt of acommand for turning off the power switch from the high-order informationprocessing device during shutdown of the tablet, the control deviceturns on the power switch of the tablet. In response to receipt of acommand for turn on the power switch from the high-order informationprocessing device while the tablet runs, the control device turns offthe power switch of the tablet.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of this disclosure, a control device controlspower supply to a terminal device. The control device includes a powersupply controller that is connectable to the terminal device via acable, the power supply controller that supplies power to the terminaldevice and communicates information with the terminal device via thecable; a power-command acquirer that receives a wake-up command from aninformation processing device, the wake-up command serving to boot theterminal device; a power-switch controller that instructs the powersupply controller to output a switch-push signal to the terminal device,in response to receipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signalserving to switch a state of a power switch of the terminal device; anda power-command mask that masks the wake-up command, in response toreceipt of the wake-up command during a running state of the terminaldevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system by wayof example;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating external appearance of an exemplarycharging cabinet;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of a terminal devicecontained in the charging cabinet;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of thecharging cabinet containing terminal devices together with an in-schoolserver and a wireless communication device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of power supply to the terminaldevice;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when aninformation processing device controls the terminal device via a cableby way of example;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when theinformation processing device transmits/receives the information to/fromthe terminal device via wireless communication;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when the terminaldevice accesses the in-school server;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of acharging cabinet including a plurality of charge control devices;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofthe charge control device together with a plurality of terminal devices;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating exemplary hardware configurations ofthe terminal device and of a terminal controller of the charge controldevice;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of acharging communication processor according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the chargingcommunication processor according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of acharging communication processor according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing of the chargingcommunication processor according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of acharging communication processor according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the chargingcommunication processor according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of acharging communication processor according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the chargingcommunication processor according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of aprocessing circuit according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating first processing of the processingcircuit according to the fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating second processing of the processingcircuit according to the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following will describe an information processing system 10according to embodiments. The embodiments are merely exemplary and arenot intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Throughout theembodiments, elements having same or like functions are denoted by sameor like reference numerals, and redundant description will not berepeated.

First Embodiment

First, the information processing system 10 according to a firstembodiment is described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the information processing system 10 ofthe first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the informationprocessing system 10 serves as a teaching aid system at school. Theinformation processing system 10 may be applicable to differentenvironments, in addition to teaching aid in a school. For example, theinformation processing system 10 may be applied to any environment suchas in a company, a seminar, or a conference as long as a large number ofparticipants work or learn with a computer.

The information processing system 10 includes a plurality of terminaldevices 20, an in-school server 22, a wireless communication device 24,and a charging cabinet 26.

Each of the terminal devices 20 serves as a tablet computer or a laptopcomputer. The terminal device 20 includes an information input/outputfunction and an information processing function. The terminal device 20includes a secondary battery, and is operable by electric power chargedin the secondary battery. Thus, the terminal device 20 can be carried bya user. The terminal device 20 also includes a wireless communicationfunction, and can communicate information with other devices without acommunication cable.

The in-school server 22 serves as a server computer, and is accessed bythe terminal devices 20 via an internal network. For example, thein-school server 22 limits access from devices on an external network todevices on the internal network, or from devices on the internal networkto devices on the external network.

The wireless communication device 24 is located outside the chargingcabinet 26. The wireless communication device 24 is in wired connectionto the internal network. The wireless communication device 24 isconnected to each of the terminal devices 20 via wireless communication.The wireless communication device 24 causes the wirelessly connectedterminal device 20 to access another device on the internal network.

The charging cabinet 26 accommodates the terminal devices 20. Users canextract the terminal devices 20 from the charging cabinet 26.

The charging cabinet 26 charges the terminal devices 20 stored therein.The charging cabinet 26 can boot or shut down the terminal devices 20.The charging cabinet 26 can communicate with the terminal devices 20 ina wired manner. Additionally, the charging cabinet 26 can wirelesslycommunicate with the terminal devices 20 while running.

The charging cabinet 26 is also connected to the internal network. Thecharging cabinet 26 can operate or communicate with the terminal devices20 in response to an instruction from an external device.

Such an information processing system 10 works as follows. Before startof a class, students take out the terminal devices 20 from the chargingcabinet 26. During the class, students use the terminal devices 20, andthe terminal devices 20 access the in-school server 22 via the wirelesscommunication device 24. Thereby, the terminal devices 20 can downloadmaterial data from the in-school server 22 to be referred to by thestudents during the class. Additionally, during the class, the terminaldevice 20 can upload information input by the students (for example, ananswer to a question) into the in-school server 22.

Each of the terminal devices 20 is stored in the charging cabinet 26after the end of the class. The charging cabinet 26 charges the storedterminal device 20 before start of the next class. Thus, the chargingcabinet 26 can prevent the terminal devices 20 from running out of powerand becoming inoperable during the class.

The charging cabinet 26 causes the stored terminal devices 20 to operateunder the remote control of an external device. The charging cabinet 26causes the stored terminal device 20 to update or install a computerprogram under remote control of an external device. Thereby, thecharging cabinet 26 allows a maintenance worker in a remote location toperform maintenance of the terminal devices 20.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the external appearance of the chargingcabinet 26 by way of example. The charging cabinet 26 includes a storagearea 28 inside. Each of the terminal devices 20 is placed in a givenposition in the storage area 28.

The charging cabinet 26 further includes a charge control device 30 andan information processing device 32. The charge control device 30controls charging and communication over the terminal devices 20. Theinformation processing device 32 communicates with other devices via theinternal network. The information processing device 32 controls thecharge control device 30, and wirelessly communicates with the storedterminal devices 20.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the terminal devices 20stored in the charging cabinet 26. Inside the charging cabinet 26, theterminal devices 20 are connected to the charge control device 30 viacables 34.

The cables 34 are detachable from the terminal devices 20. For storing,users manually attach the terminal devices 20 to the cables 34. Forextraction, users manually detach the terminal devices 20 from thecables 34.

The cables 34 conform to a standard that defines specifications forpower supply and information and communications between two devices. Inthe present embodiment, the cables 34 are USB Type-C cables conformingto a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-C standard. Under this standard, powersupply and communications of information are feasible between twodevices.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of thecharging cabinet 26 storing the terminal devices 20 together with thein-school server 22 and the wireless communication device 24. Thecharging cabinet 26 includes the charge control device 30, theinformation processing device 32, the cables 34, and a power strip 36.

The charge control device 30 is connected to the one or more terminaldevices 20 via the one or more cables 34. One end terminal of each ofthe cables 34 is connected to the charge control device 30 while theother end terminal can be connected to the terminal device 20.

The charge control device 30 controls charging and communication overeach of the one or more terminal devices 20. The configuration of thecharge control device 30 will be described later in more detail withreference to FIG. 10 and the subsequent drawings.

The information processing device 32 serves as a computer including acommunication function and an information processing function. Theinformation processing device 32 is connected to the internal network tocommunicate information with other devices on the internal network. Theinformation processing device 32 communicates information with otherdevices on the external network via the in-school server 22.

The information processing device 32 is connected to the charge controldevice 30 via an internal communication cable 38. Thereby, theinformation processing device 32 can control the charge control device30.

The internal communication cable 38 connects between the informationprocessing device 32 and the charge control device 30. The internalcommunication cable 38 is a USB Type-A to C cable conforming to theUSB-C standard. The internal communication cable 38 is not limitedthereto, and may be a cable conforming to another standard.

The information processing device 32 includes an internal wirelesscommunication device 40. The internal wireless communication device 40is connected to the one or more terminal devices 20 stored in thecharging cabinet 26 via wireless communication. Thus, the informationprocessing device 32 can transmit/receive information to/from each ofthe one or more terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26via wireless communication. The internal wireless communication device40 may be located inside or outside the information processing device32.

The power strip 36 is connected to a commercial AC power receptacle in aclassroom via an AC cable. The power strip 36 includes a plurality ofsub-power receptacles. The sub-power receptacles of the power strip 36is connected to an AC cable for AC power supply to the informationprocessing device 32. Thus, the information processing device 32 canoperate by AC power as a power source.

The sub-power receptacle of the power strip 36 are connected to an ACcable for AC power supply to the charge control device 30. That is, thecharge control device 30 can operate by AC power as a power source. Thecharge control device 30 and the information processing device 32 mayreceive DC power from an AC adapter that converts AC power into DCpower.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of power supply to the terminaldevices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26. The charge control device30 receives electric power from the commercial AC power receptacle, andsupplies DC power to the terminal device 20 connected to the cable 34.

The charge control device 30 can change a combination of a voltage and acurrent to be supplied to the one or more terminal devices 20 connectedto the cable 34 under the control of the information processing device32. Thereby, the charge control device 30 can supply electric power tothe terminal devices 20 within an available power range of thecommercial AC power receptacle. The charge control device 30 may alsocharge part of the terminal devices 20 in order under the control of theinformation processing device 32.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when theinformation processing device 32 controls the terminal device 20 whilestored in the charging cabinet 26 via the cable 34.

The information processing device 32 gives various commands to thecharge control device 30 via the internal communication cable 38.Thereby, the information processing device 32 can control the operationof the one or more terminal devices 20 connected to the cable 34. Theinformation processing device 32 receives various notifications from thecharge control device 30 via the internal communication cable 38.Thereby, the information processing device 32 can detect statuses of theone or more terminal devices 20 connected to the cable 34.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when theinformation processing device 32 transmits/receives information to/fromthe terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26 via wirelesscommunication.

While the terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26 arerunning, the internal wireless communication device 40 of theinformation processing device 32 provides a wireless-communicationaccess point (first access point) to the terminal devices 20. Theinformation processing device 32 can transmit/receive informationto/from the terminal devices 20 in the charging cabinet 26 via the firstaccess point.

The information processing device 32 can download data from anotherdevice on the external network, and transmit the downloaded data to theterminal devices 20 in the charging cabinet 26 via the first accesspoint. Thus, the information processing device 32 can cause the terminaldevice 20 to install or update a computer program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when the terminaldevice 20, while located outside the charging cabinet 26, accesses thein-school server 22.

While located outside the charging cabinet 26, the terminal device 20 iswirelessly connected to an access point (second access point) providedby the wireless communication device 24. The wireless communicationdevice 24 is located outside the charging cabinet 26 unlike the internalwireless communication device 40. Thus, outside the charging cabinet 26,the terminal device 20 can be connected to the in-school server 22 onthe internal network via the second access point outside the chargingcabinet 26.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of acharging cabinet 26 including a plurality of charge control devices 30.The charging cabinet 26 may include two or more charge control devices30. In the present embodiment, the charge control devices 30 areconnected in cascade via the internal communication cable 38. Theinformation processing device 32 may be individually or in parallelconnected to the charge control devices 30.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofthe charge control device 30 together with the terminal devices 20. Thecharge control device 30 includes a high-order convertor 42, a devicecontroller 44, and a plurality of terminal controllers 46.

The high-order convertor 42 is connected to the information processingdevice 32 via the internal communication cable 38. The high-orderconvertor 42 converts a signal format between a signal line of theinternal communication cable 38 and input/output signal lines of thedevice controller 44 and the terminal controllers 46.

In the present embodiment, the device controller 44 and the terminalcontrollers 46 input or output a signal of RS485 format. Thus, in thepresent embodiment, the high-order convertor 42 converts a signal formatbetween the USB-C and the RS485.

In the case of the device controller 44 and the terminal controllers 46inputting or outputting a USB-C signal, the charge control device 30 maynot include the high-order convertor 42. The high-order convertor 42 mayconvert the signal format into another format other than the RS485.

The device controller 44 includes a processor circuit inside. The devicecontroller 44 controls the charge control device 30 as a whole.

The terminal controllers 46 can be connected to the terminal device 20via the cables 34, respectively. The terminal controllers 46 controlcharging and communication over the respective terminal devices 20 inconnection via the corresponding cables 34. Each of the terminalcontrollers 46 may be connected to two or more terminal devices 20 viatwo or more cables 34.

Each of the terminal controllers 46 receives a command from theinformation processing device 32 via the high-order convertor 42. Eachof the terminal controllers 46 can also control charging andcommunication in response to the command from the information processingdevice 32. Each of the terminal controllers 46 notifies, via thehigh-order convertor 42, the information processing device 32 of a stateof the terminal device 20 in connection via the corresponding cable 34.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating exemplary hardware configurations ofthe terminal device 20 and the terminal controller 46 of the chargecontrol device 30.

The terminal controllers 46 of the charge control device 30 each includea charging power-delivery (PD) controller 52 (power supply controller),a charging communication processor 54, a low-order convertor 56, and acharging power supply 58.

The charging PD controller 52 can be connected to the terminal device 20via the cable 34. The charging PD controller 52 supplies power andcommunicates information via the cable 34 in accordance with a standarddefining specifications for power supply and communications ofinformation via the cable 34.

In the present embodiment, the charging PD controller 52 supplies powerto and communicate information with the terminal device 20 in compliancewith the USB-C standard. In the present embodiment, the charging PDcontroller 52 transmits/receives a vendor defined messaging (VDM) signalto/from the terminal device 20 via a configuration channel (CC) signalline of the cable 34 conforming to the USB-C standard.

In connection with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34, the chargingPD controller 52 determines a combination of supply voltage and supplycurrent to the terminal device 20 by executing, together with theterminal device 20, a predefined sequence (power delivery sequence) bythe standard. In the present embodiment, the charging PD controller 52determines the combination of supply voltage and supply current to theterminal device 20 by executing predefined power delivery sequence bythe USB-C standard. The charging PD controller 52 then instructs thecharging power supply 58 to supply electric power with the determinedvoltage and current to the terminal device 20.

The charging communication processor 54 includes a central processingunit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM),and controls the charging PD controller 52. The charging communicationprocessor 54 loads a pre-stored computer program from the ROM into theRAM, for example, to control the charging PD controller 52 in accordancewith the computer program. The charging communication processor 54receives a command from the information processing device 32 via thelow-order convertor 56 and the high-order convertor 42 by the computerprogram. The charging communication processor 54 also notifies theinformation processing device 32 of information through the low-orderconvertor 56 and the high-order convertor 42 by the computer program.

The low-order convertor 56 is connected to the high-order convertor 42via a bus. The low-order convertor 56 converts a signal format between asignal line of a bus connected to the high-order convertor 42 and aninput/output signal line of the charging communication processor 54.

In the present embodiment, the charging communication processor 54inputs and outputs a signal in universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART) format. Thus, in the present embodiment, thelow-order convertor 56 converts between RS485 and UART.

While the charging communication processor 54 serve to input and outputthe RS485 signal, the terminal controller 46 may not include thelow-order convertor 56. The low-order convertor 56 may convert thesignal format into a format other than RS485.

The charging power supply 58 receives electric power from a powerconverter that converts AC voltage into direct current. The chargingpower supply 58 supplies electric power with a designated combination ofvoltage and current to the terminal device 20 via the cable 34 inaccordance with an instruction from the charging PD controller 52.

The terminal device 20 includes a terminal PD controller 62 (powersupply controller), a terminal communication processor 64, a processingcircuit 66, a wireless communicator 68, a battery 70, a terminal powersupply 72, and a power switch 74.

The terminal PD controller 62 can be connected to the charge controldevice 30 via the cable 34. The terminal PD controller 62 is suppliedwith power and communicates information via the cable 34 in accordancewith a standard defining specifications for power supply and informationand communications via the cable 34.

In the present embodiment, the terminal PD controller 62 is suppliedwith power from the charge control device 30 and communicatesinformation therewith in compliance with the USB-C standard. In thepresent embodiment, the terminal PD controller 62 transmits/receives aVDM signal to/from the charge control device 30 via a CC signal line ofthe cable 34 conforming to the USB-C standard.

In connection with the charge control device 30 via the cable 34, theterminal PD controller 62 determines a combination of voltage andcurrent to receive from the charge control device 30 by executing apredefined sequence (power delivery sequence) by the standard with thecharge control device 30. In the present embodiment, the terminal PDcontroller 62 determines the combination of voltage and current toreceive from the charge control device 30 by executing the powerdelivery sequence defined by the USB-C standard. The terminal PDcontroller 62 then instructs the terminal power supply 72 to receiveelectric power with the determined voltage and current from the chargecontrol device 30.

The terminal communication processor 64 includes a CPU, a ROM, and aRAM, and controls the terminal PD controller 62. The terminalcommunication processor 64 loads a pre-stored computer program from theROM into the RAM, for example, to control the terminal PD controller 62in accordance with the computer program. For example, the terminalcommunication processor 64 gives, to the processing circuit 66,information on the charge control device 30 in connection via the cable34. The terminal communication processor 64 receives the informationfrom the charge control device 30 via the cable 34 to control the stateof the power switch 74 on the basis of the information.

The processing circuit 66 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controlsthe terminal device 20 as a whole. The processing circuit 66 loads apre-stored computer program from the ROM into the RAM, for example, andcontrols the terminal device 20 in accordance with the computer program.The processing circuit 66 gives a command to the terminal communicationprocessor 64 or acquires information from the terminal communicationprocessor 64 along with the execution of the computer program. Theprocessing circuit 66 also controls the wireless communicator 68 alongwith the execution of the computer program.

The wireless communicator 68 performs wireless communication under thecontrol of the processing circuit 66. In the present embodiment, thewireless communicator 68 performs wireless communication with thewireless communication device 24 and the internal wireless communicationdevice 40. The wireless communicator 68 then relays information andcommunications between the processing circuit 66 and another device.

The battery 70 is a secondary battery. The battery 70 supplies electricpower to the circuits of the terminal device 20.

The terminal power supply 72 receives electric power from the battery70, and supplies the electric power to the circuits such as theprocessing circuit 66 and the wireless communicator 68 via the powerswitch 74. The terminal PD controller 62, the terminal communicationprocessor 64, and the terminal power supply 72 are constantly suppliedwith electric power irrespective of a state of the power supply of theterminal device 20.

The terminal power supply 72 can also receive electric power from thecharge control device 30 via the cable 34 in accordance with aninstruction from the terminal PD controller 62. In this case, theterminal power supply 72 supplies the received electric power to thecircuits such as the processing circuit 66 and the wireless communicator68 via the power switch 74. The terminal power supply 72 supplies thereceived electric power to the battery 70 via the cable 34 to charge thebattery 70.

In an ON state the power switch 74 supplies the electric power outputfrom the terminal power supply 72 to the circuits such as the processingcircuit 66 and the wireless communicator 68. In an OFF state, the powerswitch 74 disconnects power supply to the circuits such as theprocessing circuit 66 and the wireless communicator 68.

The power switch 74 is a push switch that alternately operates. Forexample, the state of the power switch 74 is switched in response to auser's press to a power button located on a housing. For example, beingpressed in the OFF state, the power switch 74 is switched to the ONstate. Being pressed in the ON state, the power switch 74 is switched tothe OFF state.

The state of the power switch 74 is also switched in accordance with asignal from the internal circuitry of the terminal device 20. In thepresent embodiment, the terminal communication processor 64 can switchthe state of the power switch 74.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configurationof the charging communication processor 54 according to the firstembodiment.

The charging communication processor 54 of the first embodiment includesa power-status manager 112, a power-command acquirer 114, a power-switchcontroller 116, a power-status notifier 118, and a power-command mask120. The charging communication processor 54 functions as thepower-status manager 112, the power-command acquirer 114, thepower-switch controller 116, the power-status notifier 118, and thepower-command mask 120 by executing a given computer program.

The power-status manager 112 manages a running state or a non-runningstate of the terminal device 20 on the basis of the information receivedfrom the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. For example, the chargingPD controller 52 receives a VDM signal from the terminal device 20 viathe cable 34, and acquires the state of the power supply of the terminaldevice 20 from the received VDM signal. The power-status manager 112acquires the state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 fromthe charging PD controller 52.

The running state is such that the power switch 74 of the terminaldevice 20 is in the ON state and that the processing circuit 66 (mainstorage and a CPU) regularly runs. The running state is also referred toas an S0 state.

The non-running state refers to a state other than the running state.The power-status manager 112 manages a shutdown state, a hibernation,and a sleep state as the non-running state in a distinctive manner.

The shutdown state is such that the power switch 74 of the terminaldevice 20 is in the OFF state and that the circuitry, except forconstantly running circuitry, is supplied with no power. Examples of theconstantly running circuitry include the terminal PD controller 62, theterminal communication processor 64, and the terminal power supply 72.The shutdown state is also referred to as a G3 state.

The hibernation is such that the power switch 74 of the terminal device20 is in the OFF state and that the content of the main storage of theprocessing circuit 66 is copied to a non-volatile auxiliary storage. Thenon-volatile auxiliary storage is, for example, a hard disk or a flashmemory. During hibernation, the circuitry, except for constantly runningcircuitry, is supplied with no power. The hibernation is also referredto as an S4 state.

The sleep state is such that the power switch 74 of the terminal device20 is in the ON state and that the processing circuit 66 (the mainstorage and the CPU) and the circuitry, except for the constantlyrunning circuitry, are supplied with no power. The sleep state is alsoreferred to as an S3 state. Alternatively, the sleep state may be suchthat the main storage of the processing circuit 66 is supplied withpower but the CPU is not in operation.

The power-command acquirer 114 receives a wake-up command for bootingthe terminal device 20 from the information processing device 32. Thepower-command acquirer 114 receives a shutdown command for shutting downthe terminal device 20 from the information processing device 32.

In response to the power-command acquirer 114's receipt of the wake-upcommand or the shutdown command, the power-switch controller 116instructs the charging PD controller 52 to output a switch-push signalto the terminal device 20. The switch-push signal serves as switchingthe state of the power switch 74 of the terminal device 20.

Receiving the instruction to output the switch-push signal to theterminal device 20, the charging PD controller 52 transmits theswitch-push signal to the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Theterminal PD controller 62 of the terminal device 20 acquires theswitch-push signal from the charging PD controller 52. After theterminal PD controller 62 acquires the switch-push signal, the terminalcommunication processor 64 of the terminal device 20 switches the stateof the power switch 74. For example, upon acquiring the switch-pushsignal during the ON state of the power switch 74, the terminalcommunication processor 64 switches the power switch 74 to the OFFstate. Upon acquiring the switch-push signal during the OFF state of thepower switch 74, the terminal communication processor 64 switches thepower switch 74 to the ON state.

In response to a change in the state of the power supply of the terminaldevice 20 managed by the power-status manager 112, the power-statusnotifier 118 notifies the information processing device 32 of the stateof the power supply after change. Thus, the power-status notifier 118can notify the information processing device 32 of the state of thepower supply of the terminal device 20.

For example, if the power-command acquirer 114 receives the shutdowncommand while the terminal device 20 is running, the power-statusnotifier 118 returns notification information on the state of the powersupply of the terminal device 20 to the information processing device 32after the terminal device 20 transitions from the running state to thenon-running state. Thereby, the power-status notifier 118 can notify theinformation processing device 32 of the event that that the state of theterminal device 20 is changed to the non-running state.

For example, if the power-command acquirer 114 receives the wake-upcommand during the non-running state of the terminal device 20, thepower-status notifier 118 returns notification information on the stateof the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the informationprocessing device 32 after the terminal device 20 transitions from thenon-running state to the running state. Thus, the power-status notifier118 can notify the information processing device 32 of the event thatthe state of the terminal device 20 is changed to the running state.

In response to receipt of the wake-up command during the running stateof the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120 masks the wake-upcommand. Thereby, the power-command mask 120 can control the charging PDcontroller 52 not to output the switch-push signal to the terminaldevice 20. Thus, irrespective of transmission of the wake-up commandfrom the information processing device 32 in the running state of theterminal device 20, the power-command mask 120 enables the terminaldevice 20 not to be placed in the non-running state but to be maintainedin the running state.

In response to receipt of the wake-up command during the running stateof the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120 returnsnotification information on the state of the power supply (runningstate) of the terminal device 20 to the information processing device32. Thereby, the power-command mask 120 can notify the informationprocessing device 32 of the running state of the terminal device 20.

In response to receipt of the shutdown command during the non-runningstate of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120 masks theshutdown command. Thereby, the power-command mask 120 can control thecharging PD controller 52 not to output the switch-push signal to theterminal device 20. Thus, irrespective of transmission of the shutdowncommand from the information processing device 32 in the non-runningstate of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120 enables theterminal device 20 not to be placed in the running state but to bemaintained in the non-running state.

In response to receipt of the shutdown command during the non-runningstate of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120 returns thenotification information on the state of the power supply of theterminal device 20 to the information processing device 32. Thereby, thepower-command mask 120 can notify the information processing device 32of the non-running state of the terminal device 20.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the chargingcommunication processor 54 according to the first embodiment. In thefirst embodiment, the charging communication processor 54 performsprocessing, following the procedure illustrated in FIG. 13.

At S111, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether tohave received a power command (wake-up command or shutdown command) fromthe information processing device 32. After determining no receipt ofthe power command (No at S111), the charging communication processor 54stands by at S111. After determining receipt of the power command (Yesat S111), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S112.

At S112, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether thepower command is the wake-up command. After determining the powercommand as not the wake-up command but the shutdown command (No atS112), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S113. Afterdetermining the power command as the wake-up command (Yes at S112), thecharging communication processor 54 proceeds to S119.

At S113, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether theterminal device 20 is running. After determining that the terminaldevice 20 is running (Yes at S113), the charging communication processor54 proceeds to S114. After determining that the terminal device 20 isnot running (No at S113), it proceeds to S117.

At S114, the charging communication processor 54 instructs the chargingPD controller 52 to output the switch-push signal. Thereby, the chargingPD controller 52 can transmit the switch-push signal to the terminaldevice 20.

Subsequently, at S115, the charging communication processor 54determines whether the terminal device 20 has been shut down. Afterdetermining that the terminal device 20 is not shut down (No at S115),the charging communication processor 54 stands by at S115. Afterdetermining that the terminal device 20 is shut down (Yes at S115), atS116 the charging communication processor 54 returns notificationinformation indicating the shutdown of the terminal device 20 to theinformation processing device 32. After completing S116, the chargingcommunication processor 54 ends this processing.

At S117, the charging communication processor 54 masks the receivedshutdown command. That is, the charging communication processor 54 doesnot give any instruction to the charging PD controller 52. Thus, thecharging PD controller 52 transmits no switch-push signal. At S118, thecharging communication processor 54 returns notification informationindicating a current state of the power supply of the terminal device 20to the information processing device 32. After completing S118, thecharging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

At S119, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether theterminal device 20 is in the non-running state. If the terminal device20 is in the non-running state (Yes at S119), the charging communicationprocessor 54 proceeds to S120. If the terminal device 20 is not in thenon-running state (No at S119), it proceeds to S123.

At S120, the charging communication processor 54 instructs the chargingPD controller 52 to output the switch-push signal. Thereby, the chargingPD controller 52 can transmit the switch-push signal to the terminaldevice 20.

At S121, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether thestate of the power supply of the terminal device 20 has changed. Afterdetermining that the state of the power supply of the terminal device 20has not changed (No at S121), the charging communication processor 54stands by at S121. After determining that the state of the power supplyof the terminal device 20 has changed (Yes at S121), at S122 thecharging communication processor 54 returns the notification informationindicating the current state of the power supply of the terminal device20 to the information processing device 32. After completing S122, thecharging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

At S123, the charging communication processor 54 masks the receivedwake-up command. Thereby, the charging communication processor 54 doesnot give any instruction to the charging PD controller 52. Thus, thecharging PD controller 52 transmits no switch-push signal. Subsequently,at S124, the charging communication processor 54 returns thenotification information indicating the running state of the terminaldevice 20 to the information processing device 32. After completingS124, the charging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

When receiving the shutdown command in the sleep state of the terminaldevice 20, the charging communication processor 54 may instruct thecharging PD controller 52 to output the switch-push signal withoutmasking the shutdown command. Thereby, in the case of receiving theshutdown command during the sleep state of the terminal device 20, thecharging communication processor 54 can shut down the terminal device20.

After receiving the shutdown command during the hibernation of theterminal device 20, the charging communication processor 54 instructsthe charging PD controller 52 to output the switch-push signal to bootthe terminal device 20. Thereafter, the charging communication processor54 may instruct the charging PD controller 52 to output the switch-pushsignal again. Thereby, when receiving the shutdown command in thehibernation of the terminal device 20, the charging communicationprocessor 54 can shut down the terminal device 20.

After receiving the wake-up command in the sleep state, the chargingcommunication processor 54 may instruct the charging PD controller 52 tooutput a transition signal for placing the terminal device 20 in therunning state from the sleep state, in place of the switch-push signal.Thereby, when receiving the wake-up command in the sleep state of theterminal device 20, the charging communication processor 54 can causethe terminal device 20 to be placed in the running state.

The charge control device 30 of the first embodiment as described aboveexhibits the following effects.

After receiving the wake-up command in the running state of the terminaldevice 20, the charge control device 30 of the first embodiment masksthe wake-up command. Thereby, irrespective of transmission of thewake-up command from the information processing device 32 in the runningstate of the terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of thefirst embodiment is able to not place the terminal device 20 in thenon-running state but maintain the terminal device 20 in the runningstate. Thus, the charge control device 30 according to the firstembodiment can appropriately switch the state of the power supply of theterminal device 20 under the control of the information processingdevice 32.

After receiving the shutdown command in the non-running state of theterminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first embodimentmasks the shutdown command. Thereby, irrespective of transmission of theshutdown command from the information processing device 32 in thenon-running state of the terminal device 20, the charge control device30 of the first embodiment is able to not place the terminal device 20in the running state but maintain the terminal device 20 in thenon-running state.

After receiving the shutdown command in the running state of theterminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first embodimentreturns the notification information indicating the state of the powersupply of the terminal device 20 to the information processing device 32after the terminal device 20 transitions from the running state to thenon-running state. After receiving the wake-up command in thenon-running state of the terminal device 20, the charge control device30 of the first embodiment returns the notification informationindicating the state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 tothe information processing device 32 after the terminal device 20transitions from the non-running state to the running state. Thereby,the charge control device 30 according to the first embodiment cannotify the information processing device 32 of the state of the powersupply of the terminal device 20.

After receiving the wake-up command in the running state of the terminaldevice 20, the charge control device 30 of the first embodiment returnsthe notification information indicating the state of the power supply ofthe terminal device 20 to the information processing device 32. Afterreceiving the shutdown command in the non-running state of the terminaldevice 20, the charge control device 30 of the first embodiment returnsthe notification information indicating the state of the power supply ofthe terminal device 20 to the information processing device 32. Thereby,the charge control device 30 according to the first embodiment cannotify the information processing device 32 of the state of the powersupply of the terminal device 20.

The charge control device 30 according to the first embodiment managesthe running state or the non-running state of the terminal device 20 onthe basis of information received from the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the firstembodiment can ensure masking of the shutdown command and the wake-upcommand.

The charge control device 30 of the first embodiment manages theshutdown, the hibernation, and the sleep as the non-running state in adistinctive manner. Thereby, the charge control device 30 according tothe first embodiment can ensure masking of the shutdown command.

Second Embodiment

Next, the following describes an information processing system 10according to a second embodiment. The information processing system 10of the second embodiment includes the same hardware configuration asthat of the first embodiment. The information processing system 10 ofthe second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment inthat the charging communication processor 54 of the charge controldevice 30 includes a different functional configuration.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of thecharging communication processor 54 according to the second embodiment,by way of example.

The charging communication processor 54 of the second embodimentincludes a change-command acquirer 212, a reconnection controller 214,and a profile changer 216. The charging communication processor 54functions as the change-command acquirer 212, the reconnectioncontroller 214, and the profile changer 216 by executing a givencomputer program.

The change-command acquirer 212 receives, from the informationprocessing device 32, a change command for instructing the acquirer 212to change a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device20. The change command includes information indicating a combination ofthe voltage and current after the change.

To change a combination of supply voltage and supply current to theterminal device 20, the reconnection controller 214 causes the chargingPD controller 52 to disconnect power supply to the terminal device 20and communication of information with the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. For example, after the change-command acquirer 212 receivesthe change command, the reconnection controller 214 causes the chargingPD controller 52 to disconnect power supply to the terminal device 20and communication of information with the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. The reconnection controller 214 may cause the charging PDcontroller 52 to disconnect power supply to and communication ofinformation with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34 in response tooccurrence of a predefined event, in place of receipt of the changecommand.

After disconnecting power supply to and communication of informationwith the terminal device 20 via the cable 34, the reconnectioncontroller 214 causes the charging PD controller 52 to reconnect powersupply to and communication of information with the terminal device 20via the cable 34.

For example, the reconnection controller 214 gives a reset instructionto the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect power supply to andcommunication of information with the terminal device 20 via the cable34. For example, the reconnection controller 214 gives a resetcancelling instruction to the charging PD controller 52 to reconnectpower supply to and communication of information with the terminaldevice 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, the reconnection controller 214 canreliably cause the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect and reconnectpower supply to and communication of information with the terminaldevice 20 via the cable 34.

To change the combination of supply voltage and supply current to theterminal device 20, the profile changer 216 sets a power profile to thecharging PD controller 52. The power profile represents a combination ofa voltage and a current that can be supplied to the terminal device 20.For example, in response to the change-command acquirer 212's receivingthe change command, the profile changer 216 sets the power profile tothe charging PD controller 52.

In this case, the charging PD controller 52 executes power deliverysequence in the following manner. First, the charging PD controller 52transmits power-delivery object information to the terminal device 20.The power-delivery object information includes one or more preset powerprofiles. Subsequently, the charging PD controller 52 receives, from theterminal device 20, a response representing a power profile requested bythe terminal device 20. The charging PD controller 52 starts supplyingpower to the terminal device 20 in accordance with the power profileindicated by the response. Through such a procedure, the charging PDcontroller 52 can determine a combination of a supply voltage and asupply current to the terminal device 20.

To execute such a power delivery sequence, the profile changer 216 sets,to the charging PD controller 52, the power profile indicating thevoltage and the current that can be supplied to the terminal device 20,in a period between disconnection and reconnection of power supply toand communication of information with the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. Thereby, the profile changer 216 can ensure setting of thepower profile to the charging PD controller 52 before the charging PDcontroller 52 transmits the power-delivery object information to theterminal device 20.

For example, the profile changer 216 sets, to the charging PD controller52, the power profile for the power supply to the terminal device 20after the reconnection controller 214 instructs the charging PDcontroller 52 to cancel the resetting and before the charging PDcontroller 52 transmits the power-delivery object information to theterminal device 20. Thereby, the profile changer 216 can ensure thesetting of the power profile to the charging PD controller 52 when thereconnection controller 214 instructs the charging PD controller 52 toreset and cancel the resetting.

According to the standard defining specifications for power supply andcommunication of information via the cable 34, the charging PDcontroller 52 cannot change the power profile while maintaining theconnection with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. For example,according to the USB-C standard, the charging PD controller 52 cannotchange the power profile while maintaining power supply andcommunication of information via the cable 34.

However, the charging communication processor 54 of the secondembodiment disconnects power supply to and communication of informationwith the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereafter, the chargingcommunication processor 54 of the second embodiment reconnects powersupply to and communication of information with the terminal device 20via the cable 34. To reconnect the power supply and communication ofinformation, the charging communication processor 54 of the secondembodiment sets, to the charging PD controller 52, the power profileindicating the combination of voltage and current that can be suppliedto the terminal device 20.

Thus, the charging communication processor 54 can optionally change thecombination of supply voltage and supply current to the terminal device20. For example, the charging communication processor 54 can set asupply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device 20, followingan instruction from the information processing device 32.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating exemplary processing of thecharging communication processor 54 according to the second embodiment.In the second embodiment, the charging communication processor 54, thecharging PD controller 52, and the terminal PD controller 62 performprocessing, following the procedure illustrated in FIG. 15.

At S211, the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD controller 62are physically connected to each other via the cable 34.

At S212, the charging PD controller 52 transmits, to the terminal PDcontroller 62, power-delivery object information (source PDO) includingone or more power profiles preset inside the controller 52.

The USB-C standard defines, as the power profiles, “5 V/900 mA”, “5 V/3A”, “9 V/3 A”, “12 V/3 A”, “15 V/3 A”, and “20 V/3 A”. According to theUSB-C standard, the charging PD controller 52 transmits the source PDOincluding one or more power profiles that the charging PD controller 52can supply, among “5 V/900 mA”, “5 V/3 A”, “9 V/3 A”, “12 V/3 A”, “15V/3 A”, and “20 V/3 A”.

The USB-C standard also defines a combination of minimum voltage andminimum current “5 V/900 mA” to be a default power profile. By the USB-Cstandard, devices conforming to the USB-C standard are to be able tosupply and receive power at the default power profile.

Subsequently, at S213, the terminal PD controller 62 determines aprofile to receive from among the one or more power profiles indicatedby the source PDO. The terminal PD controller 62 then transmits aresponse representing the determined power profile to the charging PDcontroller 52.

At S214, the charging PD controller 52 starts supplying power to theterminal PD controller 62 at the power profile indicated by theresponse.

The operations from S212 to S214 are referred to as the power deliverysequence. According to the USB-C standard, the charging PD controller 52and the terminal PD controller 62 cannot change the determined powerprofile while maintaining the connection via the cable 34 aftercompletion of the power delivery sequence.

Subsequently, at S215 the charging communication processor 54 receives,from the information processing device 32, a change command for changinga supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device 20. Thechange command includes a combination of supply voltage and supplycurrent to the terminal device 20 requested by the informationprocessing device 32.

At S216, the charging communication processor 54 gives a resetinstruction to the charging PD controller 52. In response to the resetinstruction, at S217 the charging PD controller 52 resets. By resetting,the charging PD controller 52 disconnects power supply and communicationof information via the cable 34 while the cable 34 is inserted into aconnector. As a result, at S218 the charging PD controller 52 and theterminal PD controller 62 are disconnected from each other in a pseudomanner. That is, the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PDcontroller 62 appear to be in mutual connection via the cable 34,however, they are disconnected from each other in terms of an internalsignal-line level.

Subsequently, at S219 the charging communication processor 54 gives areset cancelling instruction to the charging PD controller 52. Inresponse to the reset cancelling instruction, at S220 the charging PDcontroller 52 cancels the resetting. By resetting, the charging PDcontroller 52 connects power supply and communication of information viathe cable 34, for example. As a result, at S221 the charging PDcontroller 52 and the terminal PD controller 62 are connected to eachother in a pseudo manner. That is, the charging PD controller 52 and theterminal PD controller 62 not only appear to be mutually connected viathe cable 34 and but also are mutually connected in terms of theinternal signal-line level.

At S222, the charging communication processor 54 sets the power profileto the charging communication processor 54. The set power profileindicates the voltage and the current included in the change command.That is, the set power profile indicates the combination of supplyvoltage and supply current to the terminal device 20 requested by theinformation processing device 32 after the change. At S223, the chargingcommunication processor 54 stores the set power profile therein. The setpower profile is one or more power profiles as default power profilesource PDO predefined by the USB-C standard, “5 V/900 mA” or “5 V/3 A”,“9 V/3 A”, “12 V/3 A”, “15 V/3 A”, and “20 v/3 A”.

Subsequently, at S224 the charging PD controller 52 transmits, to theterminal PD controller 62, the power-delivery object information (sourcePDO) including the power profile stored at S223.

In this case, the charging PD controller 52 transmits the source PDOincluding the power profile stored at S223.

At S225, the terminal PD controller 62 determines one profile to receivefrom among the one or more power profiles indicated by the source PDO.The terminal PD controller 62 then transmits a response indicating thedetermined power profile to the charging PD controller 52.

At S226, the charging PD controller 52 starts supplying power to theterminal PD controller 62 at the power profile indicated by theresponse.

In the present embodiment, the charging communication processor 54provides a reset instruction and a reset cancelling instruction, andsets the power profile upon receipt of the change command from theinformation processing device 32. Alternatively, the chargingcommunication processor 54 may provide a reset instruction and a resetcancelling instruction, and set the power profile in response tooccurrence of another event.

For example, the charging communication processor 54 may provide a resetinstruction and a reset cancelling instruction, and set the powerprofile in response to completion of charging the terminal device 20.For another example, the charging communication processor 54 may providea reset instruction and a reset cancelling instruction, and set thepower profile at certain time intervals.

The charge control device 30 according to the second embodimentdescribed above exhibits the following effects.

The charge control device 30 according to the second embodimentdisconnects power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device 20 via the cable 34, and then reconnects power supply toand communication of information with the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. To reconnect power supply and communication of information,the charge control device 30 of the second embodiment sets, to thecharging PD controller 52, the power profile indicating the combinationof voltage and current that can be supplied to the terminal device 20.Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the second embodiment canswitch the setting of power supply to the terminal device 20.

The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment and the terminaldevice 20 perform the power delivery sequence. Thereby, the chargecontrol device 30 of the second embodiment can change the combination ofsupply voltage and supply current to the terminal device 20.

The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment sets the powerprofile to the charging PD controller 52 in a period betweendisconnection and reconnection of power supply to and communication ofinformation with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, thecharge control device 30 according to the second embodiment can ensurethe setting of the power profile to the charging PD controller 52.

The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment gives a resetinstruction to the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect power supplyto and communication of information with the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. Further, the charge control device 30 of the second embodimentgives a reset cancelling instruction to the charging PD controller 52 toreconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, the charge control device30 according to the second embodiment can ensure the disconnection andreconnection of power supply and communication of information.

The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment sets, to thecharging PD controller 52, the power profile for the power supply to theterminal device 20 after giving a reset canceling instruction and beforethe charging PD controller 52 transmits the power-delivery objectinformation to the terminal device 20. Thereby, the charge controldevice 30 according to the second embodiment can ensure the setting ofthe power profile to the charging PD controller 52 when the reconnectioncontroller 214 instructs the charging PD controller 52 to reset andcancel the resetting.

Third Embodiment

Next, the following describes an information processing system 10according to a third embodiment. The information processing system 10 ofthe third embodiment includes the same hardware configuration as thoseof the first and second embodiments. The information processing system10 according to the third embodiment is different from that of thesecond embodiment in that the charging communication processor 54 of thecharge control device 30 includes a different functional configuration.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of thecharging communication processor 54 according to the third embodiment,by way of example.

The charging communication processor 54 of the third embodiment includesthe change-command acquirer 212, the reconnection controller 214, theprofile changer 216, a sequence manager 312, a power supply manager 314,and a change-command mask 316. The charging communication processor 54functions as the change-command acquirer 212, the reconnectioncontroller 214, the profile changer 216, the sequence manager 312, thepower supply manager 314, and the change command mask 316 by executing agiven computer program.

The charging communication processor 54 of the third embodiment differsfrom the second embodiment in additionally including the sequencemanager 312, the power supply manager 314, and the change command mask316. The differences in the charging communication processor 54 from thesecond embodiment will be mainly described.

The sequence manager 312 manages execution or non-execution of the powerdelivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply currentto the terminal device 20. For example, the sequence manager 312acquires a notification indicating execution or non-execution of thepower delivery sequence from the charging PD controller 52, and storesthe notification therein.

The change-command acquirer 212 receives, from the informationprocessing device 32, a change command for changing a supply voltage anda supply current to the terminal device 20. Additionally, in the presentembodiment, the change-command acquirer 212 rejects reception of thechange command from the information processing device 32 duringexecution of the power delivery sequence. The change-command acquirer212 determines whether the power delivery sequence is being executed, onthe basis of the information stored in the sequence manager 312.

That is, the change-command acquirer 212 can prevent the charging PDcontroller 52 from performing unexpected operation, which wouldotherwise occur by resetting during execution of the power deliverysequence. The change-command acquirer 212 can also prevent unexpectederror in the charging PD controller 52, which would otherwise occur byresetting during execution of the power delivery sequence. Thus, thecharge control device 30 can allow the charging PD controller 52 toreliably execute the power delivery sequence.

After having rejected reception of the change command, thechange-command acquirer 212 returns, to the information processingdevice 32, the notification information indicating rejection ofreception of the change command. Thereby, the change-command acquirer212 can notify the information processing device 32 of the rejection ofreception of the change command.

The power supply manager 314 manages at least one of the power profilesused by the charging PD controller 52 which supplies the power to theterminal device 20. For example, after the charging PD controller 52executes the power delivery sequence, the power supply manager 314acquires a notification of the power profile based on which the chargingPD controller 52 supplies power, and stores the notification therein.For example, according to the USB-C standard, the power supply manager314 stores any of the power profiles “5 V/900 mA”, “5 V/3 A”, “9 V/3 A”,“12 V/3 A”, “15 V/3 A”, and “20 V/3 A”.

After the change-command acquirer 212 acquires the change command, thechange command mask 316 determines whether the change command is aninstruction for supplying power at a default power profile or anon-default power profile.

The default power profile represents a combination of voltage andcurrent defined as default by the standard defining specifications forpower supply and communication of information using the cable 34. Thenon-default power profile represents combinations of voltage and currentother than default by the standard defining specifications for powersupply and communication of information using the cable 34.

For example, the default power profile indicates a combination of theminimum voltage and the minimum current among voltages and currentsdefined to be able to supply by the standard. For example, under theUSB-C standard, the default power profile is set to the combination “5V/900 mA”. Under the USB-C standard, non-default power profiles are setto combinations other than “5 V/900 mA”, that is, “5 V/3 A”, “9 V/3 A”,“12 V/3 A”, “15 V/3 A”, and “20 V/3 A”.

After the change-command acquirer 212 acquires the change command, thechange command mask 316 determines whether the charging PD controller 52is supplying power at the default power profile or the non-default powerprofile, on the basis of the information from the power supply manager314.

Upon receiving the change command for power supply at the default powerprofile while the charging PD controller 52 is supplying power at thedefault power profile, the change command mask 316 masks the changecommand. Upon receiving the change command for power supply at thenon-default power profile while the charging PD controller 52 issupplying power at the non-default power profile, the change commandmask 316 masks the change command.

Since the change command is masked, the reconnection controller 214receives no change command. That is, the reconnection controller 214gives no instruction for resetting or cancellation of resetting to thecharging PD controller 52. With the masked change command, the profilechanger 216 refrains from receiving the change command. That is, theprofile changer 216 does not set the power profile to the charging PDcontroller 52.

Thereby, upon receiving the change command for power supply at thedefault power profile while the charging PD controller 52 is supplyingpower supply at the default power profile, the change command mask 316can prevent the charging PD controller 52 from varying the supplyvoltage and supply current to the terminal device 20. Upon receiving thechange command for power supply at the non-default power profile duringthe power supply at the non-default power profile, the change commandmask 316 can prevent the charging PD controller 52 from varying thesupply voltage and supply current to the terminal device 20.

Thus, the change command mask 316 can eliminate unnecessary powerdelivery sequence such as changing the power profile to the same powerprofile.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary processing of the chargingcommunication processor 54 according to the third embodiment. In thethird embodiment, the charging communication processor 54 performsprocessing following the procedure illustrated in FIG. 17.

At S311, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether tohave received the change command from the information processing device32. With no receipt of the change command (No at S311), the chargingcommunication processor 54 stands by at S311. With receipt of the changecommand (Yes at S311), the charging communication processor 54 proceedsto S312.

At S312, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether thepower delivery sequence is being executed. During execution of the powerdelivery sequence (Yes at S312), the charging communication processor 54proceeds to S313. During no execution of the power delivery sequence notbeing executed (No at S312), it proceeds to S314.

At S313, the charging communication processor 54 rejects reception ofthe change command. Additionally, at S313 the charging communicationprocessor 54 may notify the information processing device 32 of therejection of reception of the change command. After completing S313, thecharging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

At S314, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether thereceived change command is an instruction for supplying power at thedefault power profile. After determining that the received changecommand is an instruction for supplying power at the default powerprofile (Yes at S314), the charging communication processor 54 proceedsto S315. After determining that the received change command is not aninstruction for supplying power at the default power profile, that is,the received change command is an instruction for supplying power at thenon-default power profile (No at S314), the charging communicationprocessor 54 proceeds to S318.

At S315, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether thecurrently set power profile is default. If the currently set powerprofile is default (Yes at S315), the charging communication processor54 masks the change command at S316. That is, the charging communicationprocessor 54 performs no processing. Thus, the charging PD controller 52executes no power delivery sequence. After completing S316, the chargingcommunication processor 54 ends this processing.

If the currently set power profile is not default, that is, non-default(No at S315), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S317.At S317, the charging communication processor 54 causes the charging PDcontroller 52 to execute the power delivery sequence to supply power atthe default power profile. After completing S317, the chargingcommunication processor 54 ends this processing.

At S318, the charging communication processor 54 determines whether thecurrently set power profile is non-default. If the currently set powerprofile is non-default (Yes at S318), the charging communicationprocessor 54 masks the change command at S319. That is, the chargingcommunication processor 54 performs no processing. Thus, the charging PDcontroller 52 executes no power delivery sequence. After completingS319, the charging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

If the currently set power profile is not non-default, that is, default(No at S318), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S320.At S320, the charging communication processor 54 causes the charging PDcontroller 52 to execute the power delivery sequence to supply power atthe non-default power profile indicated by the change command. Aftercompleting S320, the charging communication processor 54 ends thisprocessing.

The charge control device 30 according to the third embodiment describedabove exhibits the following effects.

The charge control device 30 of the third embodiment rejects receptionof the change command during execution of the power delivery sequencefor determining a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice 20. Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the third embodimentcan prevent the charging PD controller 52 from performing unexpectedoperation and prevent occurrence of unexpected error in the charging PDcontroller 52. Thus, the charge control device 30 according to the thirdembodiment can cause the charging PD controller 52 to reliably executethe power delivery sequence.

In the power delivery sequence, the charge control device 30 of thethird embodiment transmits the power-delivery object information to theterminal device 20, receives a response indicating a requested powerprofile from the terminal device 20, and starts supplying power to theterminal device 20 at the power profile indicated by the response.Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the third embodiment can changethe combination of supply voltage and supply current to the terminaldevice 20.

Upon rejecting reception of the change command, the charge controldevice 30 of the third embodiment returns, to the information processingdevice 32, the notification information indicating the rejection ofreception of the change command. Thereby, the charge control device 30can notify the information processing device 32 of the rejection ofreception of the change command.

In response to the change command for supplying power at the defaultpower profile during the power supply at the default power profile, thecharge control device 30 of the third embodiment masks the changecommand. Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the third embodimentcan eliminate unnecessary execution of power delivery sequence to changethe power profile to the same power profile.

Upon receiving the change command for supplying power at the non-defaultpower profile during the power supply at the non-default power profile,the charge control device 30 of the third embodiment masks the changecommand. Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the third embodimentcan eliminate unnecessary execution of power delivery sequence to changethe power profile to the same power profile.

In the third embodiment, the default power profile represents thecombination of the minimum voltage and the minimum current amongvoltages and currents defined to be able to supply by the standard.Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the third embodiment can managethe combination of the minimum voltage and the minimum current as thedefault power profile.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, the following describes an information processing system 10according to a fourth embodiment. The information processing system 10of the fourth embodiment includes the same hardware configuration asthose of the first to the third embodiments. The information processingsystem 10 of the fourth embodiment is different from those of the secondand the third embodiments in that the charging communication processor54 of the charge control device 30 includes a different functionalconfiguration.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configurationof the charging communication processor 54 according to the fourthembodiment.

The charging communication processor 54 of the fourth embodimentincludes the change-command acquirer 212, the reconnection controller214, the profile changer 216, the sequence manager 312, a cable-statusmanager 412, a cable-status notifier 414, and a notification mask 416.The charging communication processor 54 functions as the change-commandacquirer 212, the reconnection controller 214, the profile changer 216,the sequence manager 312, the cable-status manager 412, the cable-statusnotifier 414, and the notification mask 416 by executing a givencomputer program.

The charging communication processor 54 of the fourth embodiment differsfrom the second embodiment in additionally including the sequencemanager 312, the cable-status manager 412, the cable-status notifier414, and the notification mask 416. Alternatively, the chargingcommunication processor 54 of the fourth embodiment may further includethe cable-status manager 412, the cable-status notifier 414, and thenotification mask 416 in addition to the elements of the thirdembodiment. The following mainly describes differences in the chargingcommunication processor 54 between the fourth embodiment and the secondembodiment and the third embodiment.

The cable-status manager 412 manages a connection of the cable 34between the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal device 20. Thatis, the cable-status manager 412 manages connection or disconnection ofpower supply and communication of information via the cable 34 betweenthe charging PD controller 52 and the terminal device 20. For example,the cable-status manager 412 acquires, from the charging PD controller52, a notification indicating connection or disconnection of powersupply and communication of information via the cable 34, and stores thenotification therein.

With a change in the connection state of the cable 34, the cable-statusnotifier 414 transmits notification information indicating theconnection state of the cable 34 to the information processing device32. That is, the cable-status notifier 414 transmits notificationinformation indicating connection or disconnection of power supply andcommunication of information between the charging PD controller 52 andthe terminal device 20 via the cable 34.

During execution of the power delivery sequence for changing thecombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice 20, the notification mask 416 masks the notification informationon the connection state of the cable 34 and the information processingdevice 32. The notification mask 416 determines whether the powerdelivery sequence is being executed on the basis of the informationmanaged by the sequence manager 312.

Since the notification information on the connection state of the cable34 is masked, the charge control device 30 transmits no notificationinformation to the information processing device 32. Thus, duringexecution of the power delivery sequence the notification mask 416allows the charge control device 30 not to transmit the notificationinformation on the connection state of the cable 34 to the informationprocessing device 32.

The charging PD controller 52 of the present embodiment disconnectspower supply and communication of information via the cable 34 duringexecution of the power delivery sequence, and then reconnects powersupply and communication of information via the cable 34. That is, thecable-status notifier 414 outputs the notification information twiceduring execution of the power delivery sequence. However, theinformation processing device 32 performs no information processingusing connection information and disconnection information of the cable34 during execution of the power delivery sequence.

Thus, the notification mask 416 masks the notification information onthe connection state during execution of the power delivery sequence.Thereby, the notification mask 416 can eliminate unnecessarycommunication, simplifying the processing.

After end of the power delivery sequence, typically, the connectionstate between the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal device 20does not change. However, for some reason the connection state of thecable 34 between the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal device20 may change.

In view of this, after the power delivery sequence, with a change in theconnection state of the cable 34 from before start of the sequence, thecable-status notifier 414 transmits the notification information to theinformation processing device 32. Thereby, the cable-status notifier 414can correctly notify the information processing device 32 of the stateof the connection to the terminal device 20.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary processing of the chargingcommunication processor 54 according to the fourth embodiment. In thefourth embodiment, the charging communication processor 54 performs theprocessing, following the procedure illustrated in FIG. 19.

At S411, the charging communication processor 54 determines start ornon-start of execution of the power delivery sequence. If the powerdelivery sequence has not started (No at S411), the chargingcommunication processor 54 proceeds to S412. At S412, the chargingcommunication processor 54 determines whether there is any change in theconnection state of the cable 34. After determining no change in theconnection state of the cable 34 (No at S412), the chargingcommunication processor 54 returns to S411 and stands by until the powerdelivery sequence starts or the connection state of the cable 34changes. After determining a change in the connection state of the cable34 (Yes at S412), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds toS413.

At S413, the charging communication processor 54 transmits, to theinformation processing device 32, the notification informationindicating a current connection state of the cable 34. After completingS413, the charging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

After start of the power delivery sequence (Yes at S411), the chargingcommunication processor 54 proceeds to S414. At S414, the chargingcommunication processor 54 acquires and stores the connection state ofthe cable 34 immediately before the execution of the power deliverysequence.

Subsequently, at S415 the charging communication processor 54 maskstransmission of the notification information indicating the connectionstate. That is, at S415, the charging communication processor 54performs no processing.

At S416, the charging communication processor 54 determines end ornon-end of the execution of the power delivery sequence. Afterdetermining that the power delivery sequence has not ended (No at S416),the charging communication processor 54 stands by at S416. Afterdetermining that the power delivery sequence has ended (Yes at S416),the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S417.

At S417, the charging communication processor 54 acquires the connectionstate of the cable 34 immediately after the end of the power deliverysequence. At S418, the charging communication processor 54 determineswhether the connection state of the cable 34 remains unchanged fromimmediately before the start of the power delivery sequence toimmediately after the end of the power delivery sequence. If theconnected state of the cable 34 remains unchanged (Yes at S418), thecharging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

If the connection state of the cable 34 has changed from immediatelybefore the start of the power delivery sequence to immediately after theend of the power delivery sequence (Yes at S418), the chargingcommunication processor 54 transmits the notification informationindicating the current connection state of the cable 34 to theinformation processing device 32 at S419. After completing S419, thecharging communication processor 54 ends this processing.

The charge control device 30 according to the fourth embodimentdescribed above exhibits the following effects.

The charge control device 30 of the fourth embodiment masks thenotification information on the connection state of the cable 34 to theinformation processing device 32 during execution of the power deliverysequence. Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the fourthembodiment can correctly notify the connection state of the terminaldevice 20, eliminating complex processing.

After the end of the power delivery sequence, with a change in theconnection state of the cable 34 from before the execution of the powerdelivery sequence, the charge control device 30 of the fourth embodimenttransmits the notification information indicating the connection stateof the cable 34 to the information processing device 32. Thereby, thecharge control device 30 according to the fourth embodiment cancorrectly notify the information processing device 32 of the connectionstate of the terminal device 20.

The charge control device 30 of the fourth embodiment provide a resetinstruction to the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect power supplyto and communication of information with the terminal device 20 via thecable 34. The charge control device 30 of the fourth embodiment providesa reset cancelling instruction to the charging PD controller 52 tocancel the resetting and reconnect power supply to and communication ofinformation with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, thecharge control device 30 according to the fourth embodiment can reliablydisconnect and reconnect power supply and communication of information.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, the following describes an information processing system 10according to a fifth embodiment. The information processing system 10 ofthe fifth embodiment includes the same hardware configuration as thoseof the first to the fourth embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theprocessing circuit 66 of the terminal device 20 according to the fifthembodiment.

The processing circuit 66 of the fifth embodiment includes acable-connection determiner 512, a device determiner 514, and anaccess-point controller 516. The processing circuit 66 functions as thecable-connection determiner 512, the device determiner 514, and theaccess-point controller 516 by executing a given computer program.

The cable-connection determiner 512 manages the connection state of thecable 34 between the terminal PD controller 62 and the charge controldevice 30. That is, the cable-connection determiner 512 determineswhether the terminal PD controller 62 is connected to the charge controldevice 30 via the cable 34. For example, the cable-connection determiner512 acquires, from the terminal PD controller 62, a notificationindicating connection or disconnection of power supply and communicationof information via the cable 34, and stores the notification therein.

If the terminal PD controller 62 in no connection to any device becomesconnected to a certain device via the cable 34, the cable-connectiondeterminer 512 notifies the device determiner 514 of the connection ofthe terminal PD controller 62 to the device. If the terminal PDcontroller 62 connected to a certain device becomes disconnectedtherefrom via the cable 34, the cable-connection determiner 512 notifiesthe access-point controller 516 of the disconnection of the terminal PDcontroller 62 from the device.

The device determiner 514 determines whether the device in connectionvia the cable 34 is the charge control device 30 as predefined. Forexample, after the terminal device 20 becomes connected to a device viathe cable 34, the device determiner 514 determines whether the device isthe charge control device 30 on the basis of the information receivedvia the cable 34. Thereby, the terminal device 20 can correctlydetermine whether the connected device via the cable 34 is the chargecontrol device 30.

When the connected device via the cable 34 is the charge control device30, the device determiner 514 transmits, to the access-point controller516, information that the connected device via the cable 34 is thecharge control device 30.

The access-point controller 516 controls the wireless communicator 68 ofthe terminal device 20. The wireless communicator 68 is wirelesslyconnected to the access point to communicate information via a network.

After the device determiner 514 determines that the terminal device 20is connected to the charge control device 30 via the cable 34, theaccess-point controller 516 causes the wireless communicator 68 towirelessly connect to the first access point associated with the chargecontrol device 30.

In the present embodiment, the internal wireless communication device 40of the information processing device 32 provides the first access point.Thus, after the terminal device 20 becomes connected to the chargecontrol device 30 via the cable 34, the access-point controller 516causes the wireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to theinternal wireless communication device 40 of the information processingdevice 32.

Thereby, while connected to the charge control device 30 via the cable34 inside the charging cabinet 26, the terminal device 20 can beconnected to the information processing device 32 in a wireless manner.Thus, while being stored in the charging cabinet 26, the terminal device20 can transmit or receive data via the information processing device32, and can be subjected to remote control via the informationprocessing device 32. Thus, the terminal device 20, while connected tothe charge control device 30 via the cable 34, can be connected to anappropriate access point in a wireless manner.

When the terminal device 20 is disconnected from the charge controldevice 30 via the cable 34, the access-point controller 516 causes thewireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to a predefined secondaccess point different from the first access point. The access-pointcontroller 516 determines disconnection of the terminal device 20 fromthe charge control device 30 via the cable 34 on the basis of a resultof the determination by the cable-connection determiner 512 and a resultof the determination by the device determiner 514.

In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 24 locatedoutside the charging cabinet 26 provides the second access point. Thus,when the terminal device 20 is disconnected from the charge controldevice 30, the access-point controller 516 causes the wirelesscommunicator 68 to connect to the wireless communication device 24 in awireless manner.

Thereby, being extracted from the charging cabinet 26, the terminaldevice 20 can be wirelessly connected to the wireless communicationdevice 24. That is, the terminal device 20 can be firmly connected tothe access point in a wireless manner at higher radio field intensity.In this manner, the terminal device 20, when disconnected from thecharge control device 30, can be wirelessly connected to an appropriateaccess point.

When disconnected from the charge control device 30 via the cable 34,the access-point controller 516 may invalidate setting information forwireless connection to the first access point set to the wirelesscommunicator 68. Upon invalidation of the setting information, thewireless communicator 68 searches the surroundings for an appropriateaccess point, and wirelessly connect to the access point. Thus, theterminal device 20, when disconnected from the charge control device 30,can invalidate a wireless connection to an inappropriate access point,and can wirelessly connect to an appropriate, new access point.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating first processing of the processingcircuit 66 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment,the processing circuit 66 performs processing, following the procedureillustrated in FIG. 21.

At S511, the processing circuit 66 determines whether the terminaldevice 20 is connected to any device via the cable 34. If the terminaldevice 20 is not connected to any device (No at S511), the processingcircuit 66 stands by at S511. If the terminal device 20 is connected toa device (Yes at S511), the processing circuit 66 proceeds to S512.

At S512, the processing circuit 66 determines whether the terminaldevice 20 is connected to the charge control device 30 via the cable 34.If the terminal device 20 is not connected to the charge control device30 (No at S512), the processing circuit 66 ends this processing. If theterminal device 20 is connected to the charge control device 30 (Yes atS512), the processing circuit 66 proceeds to S513.

At S513, the processing circuit 66 instructs the wireless communicator68 to wirelessly connect to the first access point associated with thecharge control device 30. In the present embodiment, the processingcircuit 66 instructs the wireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connectto the internal wireless communication device 40 of the informationprocessing device 32. After completing S513, the processing circuit 66ends this processing.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating second processing of the processingcircuit 66 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment,the processing circuit 66 performs processing while the terminal device20 is connected to the charge control device 30 via the cable 34,following the procedure illustrated in FIG. 22.

At S521, the processing circuit 66 determines whether the terminaldevice 20 is disconnected from the charge control device 30 via thecable 34. If the terminal device 20 is not disconnected (No at S521),the processing circuit 66 stands by at S521. If the terminal device 20is disconnected (Yes at S521), the processing circuit 66 proceeds toS522.

At S522, the processing circuit 66 instructs the wireless communicator68 to wirelessly connect to the second access point different from thefirst access point. In the embodiment, the processing circuit 66instructs the wireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to thewireless communication device 24 located outside the charging cabinet26. After completing S522, the processing circuit 66 ends thisprocessing.

At S522, the processing circuit 66 may invalidate the settinginformation for a wireless connection to the first access point set tothe wireless communicator 68, instead of wirelessly connecting thewireless communicator 68 to the second access point. Upon invalidationof the setting information, the wireless communicator 68 searches thesurroundings for an appropriate access point and wirelessly connect tothe access point. In this manner, the terminal device 20 can bewirelessly connected to the access point at higher radio field intensityoutside the charging cabinet 26.

The terminal device 20 according to the fifth embodiment described aboveexhibits the following effects.

Being connected to the charge control device 30 via the cable 34, theterminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment causes the wirelesscommunicator 68 to wirelessly connect to the first access pointassociated with the charge control device 30. That is, while being inconnection with the charge control device 30 via the cable 34, theterminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment can be connected to anappropriate access point in a wireless manner.

When disconnected from the charge control device 30 via the cable 34,the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment causes the wirelesscommunicator 68 to connect to the second access point in a wirelessmanner. Thereby, the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment can beconnected to an appropriate access point in a wireless manner, whendisconnected from the charge control device 30 via the cable 34.

When disconnected from the charge control device 30 via the cable 34,the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment invalidates the settinginformation for the wireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connect tothe first access point set to the wireless communicator 68. Thereby, theterminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment can invalidate a wirelessconnection to an inappropriate access point, and can be connected to anappropriate, new access point.

When connected to a device via the cable 34, the terminal device 20 ofthe fifth embodiment determines whether the device is the charge controldevice 30 on the basis of the information received via the cable 34.Thereby, the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment can correctlydetermine whether the connected device via the cable 34 is the chargecontrol device 30.

Computer Program

The computer program executed by the charge control device 30 or theterminal device 20 in any of the first to fifth embodiments is recordedand provided in an installable or executable file format on acomputer-readable recording medium such as a compact disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc recordable (CD-R),and a digital versatile disc (DVD).

The computer program executed by the charge control device 30 or theterminal device 20 in any of the first to fifth embodiments may bestored and provided in a computer connected to a network such as theInternet by being downloaded via the network. The computer programexecuted by the charge control device 30 or the terminal device 20 inany of the first to fifth embodiments may be provided or distributed viaa network such as the Internet. The computer program executed by thecharge control device 30 or the terminal device 20 in any of the firstto fifth embodiments may be incorporated in advance in a ROM, forexample.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the inventions.

The first embodiment can include the following examples.

First Example of First Embodiment

A control device controls power supply to a terminal device. The controldevice includes a power supply controller that is connectable to theterminal device via a cable, and supplies power to the terminal deviceand communicates information with the terminal device via the cable; apower-command acquirer that receives a wake-up command from aninformation processing device, the wake-up command serving to boot theterminal device; a power-switch controller that instructs the powersupply controller to output a switch-push signal to the terminal device,in response to receipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signalserving to switch a state of a power switch of the terminal device; anda power-command mask that masks the wake-up command, in response toreceipt of the wake-up command during a running state of the terminaldevice.

Second Example of First Embodiment

According to the control device in the first example of the firstembodiment, the power-command acquirer receives a shutdown command forshutting down the terminal device. The power-switch controller instructsthe power supply controller to output the switch-push signal to theterminal device, in response to receipt of the wake-up command or theshutdown command. The power-command mask masks the shutdown command, inresponse to receipt of the shutdown command during a non-running stateof the terminal device.

Third Example of First Embodiment

According to the second example of the first embodiment, the controldevice further includes a power-status notifier. In response to receiptof the shutdown command during the running state of the terminal device,the power-status notifier returns notification information to theinformation processing device after the terminal device transitions fromthe running state to the non-running state. The notification informationrepresents a state of the power supply of the terminal device. Inresponse to receipt of the wake-up command during the non-running stateof the terminal device, the power-status notifier returns thenotification information to the information processing device after theterminal device transitions from the non-running state to the runningstate.

Fourth Example of First Embodiment

According to the control device in the third example of the firstembodiment, the power-command mask returns the notification informationto the information processing device, in response to receipt of thewake-up command during the running state of the terminal device. Thepower-command mask returns the notification information to theinformation processing device, in response to receipt of the shutdowncommand during the non-running state of the terminal device.

Fifth Example of First Embodiment

The control device according to one of the second to the fourth examplesof the first embodiment further includes a power-status manager thatmanages the running state or the non-running state of the power supplyof the terminal device on the basis of information received from theterminal device via the cable.

Sixth Example of First Embodiment

According to the control device in the fifth example of the firstembodiment, the power-status manager manages a shutdown state, ahibernation, and a sleep state as the non-running state in a distinctivemanner.

Seventh Example of First Embodiment

An information processing system includes a terminal device; and acontrol device that controls power supply to the terminal device. Thecontrol device includes a power supply controller that is connectable tothe terminal device via a cable, and supplies power to the terminaldevice and communicates information with the terminal device via thecable; a power-command acquirer that receives a wake-up command from aninformation processing device, the wake-up command serving to boot theterminal device; a power-switch controller that instructs the powersupply controller to output a switch-push signal to the terminal device,in response to receipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signalserving to switch a state of a power switch of the terminal device; anda power-command mask that masks the wake-up command, in response toreceipt of the wake-up command during a running state of the terminaldevice.

Eighth Example of First Embodiment

A computer program product includes programmed instructions embodied inand stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. Theinstructions are to be executed by a processor of a control device thatcontrols power supply to a terminal device, and includes a power supplycontroller that is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, andsupplies power to the terminal device and communicates information withthe terminal device via the cable. The instructions, when executed bythe processor, cause the processor to function as a power-commandacquirer that receives a wake-up command from an information processingdevice, the wake-up command serving to boot the terminal device; apower-switch controller that instructs the power supply controller tooutput a switch-push signal to the terminal device, in response toreceipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signal serving to switcha state of a power switch of the terminal device; and a power-commandmask that masks the wake-up command, in response to receipt of thewake-up command during a running state of the terminal device.

The second embodiment can include the following examples.

First Example of Second Embodiment

A control device controls power supply to a terminal device. The controldevice includes a power supply controller that is connectable to theterminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device andcommunicates information with the terminal device via the cable, anddetermines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to theterminal device through communication with the terminal device via thecable; a reconnection controller that causes the power supply controllerto disconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply to andcommunication of information with the terminal device via the cable, inthe case of changing the combination of the supply voltage and thesupply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets apower profile to the power supply controller in the case of changing thecombination of the supply voltage and the supply current to the terminaldevice, the power profile representing the combination of a voltage anda current that are able to be supplied to the terminal device.

Second Example of Second Embodiment

According to the control device in the first example of the secondembodiment, the power supply controller transmits, to the terminaldevice, power-delivery object information including one or more presetpower profiles; receives, from the terminal device, a responseindicating the power profile requested by the terminal device, andstarts supplying power to the terminal device according to the powerprofile indicated by the response.

Third Example of Second Embodiment

According to the control device in the second example of the secondembodiment, after disconnection of power supply and communication ofinformation with the terminal device via the cable, the profile changersets, to the power supply controller, the power profile indicating avoltage and a current that are able to be supplied to the terminaldevice after the change, before reconnecting power supply andcommunication of information with the terminal device via the cable.

Fourth Example of Second Embodiment

According to the control device in the second and the third examples ofthe second embodiment, the reconnection controller gives a resetinstruction to the power supply controller to disconnect power supply toand communication of information with the terminal device via the cable,and gives a reset cancelling instruction to the power supply controllerto reconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable.

Fifth Example of Second Embodiment

According to the control device in the fourth example of the secondembodiment, after the reconnection controller gives the reset cancelinginstruction, the profile changer sets, to the power supply controller,the power profile requesting a power supply to the terminal devicebefore the power supply controller transmits the power-delivery objectinformation to the terminal device.

Sixth Example of Second Embodiment

An information processing system includes a terminal device and acontrol device that controls power supply to the terminal device. Thecontrol device includes a power supply controller that is connectable tothe terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal deviceand communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, anddetermines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to theterminal device through communication with the terminal device via thecable; a reconnection controller that causes the power supply controllerto disconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply to andcommunication of information with the terminal device via the cable, inthe case of changing the combination of the supply voltage and thesupply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets apower profile to the power supply controller in the case of changing thecombination of the supply voltage and the supply current to the terminaldevice, the power profile representing the combination of a voltage anda current that are able to be supplied to the terminal device.

Seventh Example of Second Embodiment

A computer program product includes programmed instructions embodied inand stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. Theinstructions are to be executed by a processor of a control device thatcontrols power supply to a terminal device The control device includes apower supply controller that is connectable to the terminal device via acable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicatesinformation with the terminal device via the cable, and determines acombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice through communication with the terminal device via the cable.When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor tofunction as a reconnection controller that causes the power supplycontroller to disconnect power supply to and communication ofinformation with the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnectpower supply to and communication of information with the terminaldevice via the cable, in the case of changing the combination of thesupply voltage and the supply current to the terminal device; and aprofile changer that sets a power profile to the power supply controllerin the case of changing the combination of the supply voltage and thesupply current to the terminal device, the power profile representingthe combination of a voltage and a current that are able to be suppliedto the terminal device.

Eighth Example of Second Embodiment

A container stores a plurality of terminal devices to be extractable bya user. The container includes a plurality of control devices each ofwhich is connectable to any of the terminal devices via a cable, andcontrols power supply to the terminal device connected via the cable;and an information processing device that controls the control devices.The control devices each include a power supply controller that isconnectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to theterminal device and communicates information with the terminal devicevia the cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and asupply current to the terminal device through communication with theterminal device via the cable; a reconnection controller that causes thepower supply controller to disconnect power supply to and communicationof information with the terminal device via the cable, and thenreconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable, in response to receipt of a changecommand for changing the supply voltage and the supply current to theterminal device from the information processing device; and a profilechanger that sets a power profile to the power supply controller inresponse to receipt of the change command, the power profilerepresenting the combination of a voltage and a current that are able tobe supplied to the terminal device. The information processing devicegives the change command to the control devices to alternately chargepart of the terminal devices in order.

The third embodiment can include the following examples.

First Example of Third Embodiment

A control device controls power supply to a terminal device. The controldevice includes that is connectable to the terminal device via a cable,supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information withthe terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of asupply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device throughcommunication with the terminal device via the cable; a change-commandacquirer that receives, from an information processing device, a changecommand for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to theterminal device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile to thepower supply controller in response to receipt of the change command,the power profile representing the voltage and the current that are ableto be supplied to the terminal device. The change-command acquirerrejects reception of the change command during execution of a powerdelivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply currentto the terminal device.

Second Example of Third Embodiment

According to the control device in the first example of the thirdembodiment, in the power delivery sequence, the power supply controllertransmits, to the terminal device, power-delivery object informationincluding one or more preset power profiles; receives, from the terminaldevice, a response indicating the power profile requested by theterminal device; and starts supplying power to the terminal deviceaccording to the power profile indicated by the response.

Third Example of Third Embodiment

According to the control device in the first or the second example ofthe third embodiment, after rejecting reception of the change command,the change-command acquirer returns, to the information processingdevice, notification information indicating the rejection of receptionof the change command.

Fourth Example of Third Embodiment

The control device according to any of the first to the third examplesof the third embodiment further includes a power supply manager thatmanages at least one of the power profiles used by the power supplycontroller which supplies power to the terminal device; and a changecommand mask that masks the change command during power supply accordingto a default power profile, in response to receipt of the change commandfor supplying power according to the default power profile, the defaultpower profile defined by the standard.

Fifth Example of Third Embodiment

According to the control device in the fourth example of the thirdembodiment, the change command mask masks the change command duringpower supply at a non-default power profile, in response to receipt ofthe change command for supplying power at the non-default power profile,the non-default power profile defined by a standard definingspecifications for power supply and communication of information usingthe cable.

Sixth Example of Third Embodiment

According to the control device in the fourth or the fifth example ofthe third embodiment, the default power profile indicates a combinationof a minimum voltage and a minimum current among voltages and currentsdefined to be able to be supplied by the standard.

Seventh Example of Third Embodiment

An information processing system includes a terminal device; and acontrol device that controls power supply to the terminal device. Thecontrol device includes a power supply controller that is connectable tothe terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal deviceand communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, anddetermines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to theterminal device through communication with the terminal device via thecable; a change-command acquirer that receives, from an informationprocessing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage and asupply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets,to the power supply controller, a power profile indicating the voltageand the current that are able to be supplied to the terminal device, inresponse to receipt of the change command. The change-command acquirerrejects reception of the change command during execution of a powerdelivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply currentto the terminal device.

Eighth Example of Third Embodiment

A computer program product includes programmed instructions embodied inand stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. Theinstructions are to be executed by a processor of a control device thatcontrols power supply to a terminal device The control device includes apower supply controller that is connectable to the terminal device via acable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicatesinformation with the terminal device via the cable, and determines acombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice through communication with the terminal device via the cable.When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor tofunction as a change-command acquirer that receives, from an informationprocessing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage and asupply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets apower profile to the power supply controller, in response to receipt ofthe change command, the power profile indicating a voltage and a currentthat are able to be supplied to the terminal device. The change-commandacquirer rejects reception of the change command during execution of apower delivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supplycurrent to the terminal device.

The fourth embodiment can include the following examples.

First Example of Fourth Embodiment

A control device controls power supply to a terminal device. The controldevice includes a power supply controller that is connectable to theterminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device andcommunicates information with the terminal device via the cable, anddetermines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to theterminal device through communication with the terminal device via thecable; a reconnection controller that causes the power supply controllerto disconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply to andcommunication of information with the terminal device via the cable, inthe case of changing the combination of a supply voltage and a supplycurrent to the terminal device; a cable-status notifier that transmitsnotification information indicating a connection state of the cable toan information processing device, in response to a change in theconnection state of the cable; and a notification mask that mask thenotification information on the connection state of the cable to theinformation processing device during execution of a power deliverysequence for changing the combination of a supply voltage and a supplycurrent to the terminal device.

Second Example of Fourth Embodiment

According to the control device in the first example of the fourthembodiment, after end of the power delivery sequence, the cable-statusnotifier transmits the notification information indicating theconnection state of the cable to the information processing device, inresponse to a change in the connection state of the cable from beforethe power delivery sequence.

Third Example of Fourth Embodiment

According to the control device in the first or the second example ofthe fourth embodiment, the reconnection controller gives a resetinstruction to the power supply controller to disconnect power supply toand communication of information with the terminal device via the cable,and gives a reset cancelling instruction to the power supply controllerto reconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable.

Fourth Example of Fourth Embodiment

An information processing system includes a terminal device; and acontrol device that controls power supply to the terminal device. Thecontrol device includes a power supply controller that is connectable tothe terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal deviceand communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, anddetermines a combination of a voltage and a current to be supplied tothe terminal device through communication with the terminal device viathe cable; a reconnection controller that causes the power supplycontroller to disconnect power supply to and communication ofinformation with the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnectpower supply to and communication of information with the terminaldevice via the cable, in the case of changing the combination of asupply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; acable-status notifier that transmits notification information indicatinga connection state of the cable to an information processing device, inresponse to a change in the connection state of the cable; and anotification mask that masks the notification information on theconnection state of the cable to the information processing deviceduring execution of a power delivery sequence for changing thecombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice.

Fifth Example of Fourth Embodiment

A computer program product includes programmed instructions embodied inand stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. Theinstructions are to be executed by a processor of a control device thatcontrols power supply to a terminal device The control device includes apower supply controller that is connectable to the terminal device via acable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicatesinformation with the terminal device via the cable, and determines acombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice through communication with the terminal device via the cable.When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor tofunction as: a reconnection controller that causes the power supplycontroller to disconnect power supply to and communication ofinformation with the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnectpower supply to and communication of information with the terminaldevice via the cable, in the case of changing the combination of asupply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; acable-status notifier that transmits notification information indicatinga connection state of the cable to an information processing device, inresponse to a change in the connection state of the cable; and anotification mask that mask the notification information on theconnection state of the cable to the information processing deviceduring execution of a power delivery sequence for changing thecombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice.

Sixth Example of Fourth Embodiment

A control device controls power supply to a terminal device. The controldevice includes a power supply controller that is connectable to theterminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device andcommunicates information with the terminal device via the cable, anddetermines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to theterminal device through communication with the terminal device via thecable; a reconnection controller that causes the power supply controllerto disconnect power supply to and communication of information with theterminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply andcommunication of information with the terminal device via the cable, inthe case of changing the combination of a supply voltage and a supplycurrent to the terminal device; a cable-status notifier that transmitsnotification information indicating a connection state of the cable toan information processing device, in response to a change in theconnection state of the cable; and a notification mask that prevents thecable-status notifier from transmitting the notification information onthe connection state of the cable to the information processing deviceduring execution of a power delivery sequence for changing thecombination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminaldevice.

The fifth embodiment can include the following examples.

First Example of Fifth Embodiment

A terminal device is a computer portable by a user. The terminal deviceincludes a power supply controller that is connectable to a device via acable and supplied with power from the device, and communicatesinformation with the device via the cable; a wireless communicator thatis wirelessly connected to an access point to communicate informationvia a network; and an access-point controller that causes, whenconnected to a predefined control device via the cable, the wirelesscommunicator to wirelessly connect to a first access point associatedwith the control device.

Second Example of Fifth Embodiment

According to the terminal device in the first example of the fifthembodiment, when disconnected from the control device via the cable, theaccess-point controller causes the wireless communicator to wirelesslyconnect to a predetermined second access point different from the firstaccess point.

Third Example of Fifth Embodiment

According to the terminal device in the first example of the fifthembodiment, when disconnected from the control device via the cable, theaccess-point controller invalidates setting information for wirelesslyconnecting to the first access point set to the wireless communicator.

Fourth Example of Fifth Embodiment

The terminal device according to any of the first to the third examplesof the fifth embodiment further includes a device determiner thatdetermines, when connected to the device via the cable, whether thedevice is the control device on the basis of information received viathe cable.

Fifth Example of Fifth Embodiment

An information processing system includes a terminal device as acomputer portable by a user; and a control device that controls powersupply to the terminal device. The terminal device includes a powersupply controller that is connectable to a device via a cable and issupplied with power from the device, and communicates information withthe device via the cable; a wireless communicator that is wirelesslyconnected to an access point to communicate information via a network;and an access-point controller that causes, when connected to apredefined control device via the cable, the wireless communicator towirelessly connect to a first access point associated with the controldevice.

Sixth Example of Fifth Embodiment

A computer program product includes programmed instructions embodied inand stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. Theinstructions are to be executed by a processing circuit of a terminaldevice serving as a computer portable by a user. The terminal deviceincludes a power supply controller that is connectable to a device via acable and supplied with power from the device, and communicatesinformation with the device via the cable; and a wireless communicatorthat is wirelessly connected to an access point to communicateinformation via a network. When executed by the processing circuit, theinstructions cause the processing circuit to function as an access-pointcontroller that that causes, when connected to a predefined controldevice via the cable, the wireless communicator to wirelessly connect toa first access point associated with the control device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device that controls power supply to a terminal device, comprising: a power supply controller that connects to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through communication with the terminal device via the cable; a change-command acquirer that receives, from an information processing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile to the power supply controller in response to receipt of the change command, the power profile representing the voltage and the current that are supplied to the terminal device, wherein the change-command acquirer rejects reception of the change command during execution of a power delivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device.
 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein in the power delivery sequence, the power supply controller transmits, to the terminal device, power-delivery object information including one or more preset power profiles; receives, from the terminal device, a response indicating the power profile requested by the terminal device; and starts supplying power to the terminal device according to the power profile indicated by the response.
 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein after rejecting reception of the change command, the change-command acquirer returns, to the information processing device, notification information indicating the rejection of reception of the change command.
 4. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a power supply manager that manages at least one of the power profiles used by the power supply controller which supplies power to the terminal device; and a change command mask that masks the change command during power supply according to a default power profile, in response to receipt of the change command for supplying power according to the default power profile, the default power profile defined by a standard.
 5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the change command mask masks the change command during power supply at a non-default power profile, in response to receipt of the change command for supplying power at the non-default power profile, the non-default power profile defined by the standard defining specifications for power supply and communication of information using the cable.
 6. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the default power profile indicates a combination of a minimum voltage and a minimum current among voltages and currents defined to be supplied by the standard.
 7. An information processing system comprising: a terminal device; and a control device that controls power supply to the terminal device, wherein the control device comprises a power supply controller that is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through communication with the terminal device via the cable; a change-command acquirer that receives, from an information processing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets, to the power supply controller, a power profile indicating the voltage and the current that are supplied to the terminal device, in response to receipt of the change command, and the change-command acquirer rejects reception of the change command during execution of a power delivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device.
 8. A computer program product including programmed instructions embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the instructions to be executed by a processor of a control device that controls power supply to a terminal device, the control device comprising a power supply controller that is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through communication with the terminal device via the cable, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to function as: a change-command acquirer that receives, from an information processing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile to the power supply controller, in response to receipt of the change command, the power profile indicating a voltage and a current that are supplied to the terminal device, wherein the change-command acquirer rejects reception of the change command during execution of a power delivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device. 